Gaza terrorists launched at least six rocket attacks at Israeli civilian communities overnight, sending families racing for their shelters and safe rooms nearly every hour from midnight to 3:30 am.

Missile fire was aimed at the coastal city of Ashkelon, and Qassam rockets were launched at the nearby Sdnot Negev and Eshkol Regional Council districts. Rockets fell in open fields, where no property damage was reported.

Several other rockets exploded near a packaging factory and a number of vehicles, causing damage, according to local reports. In addition at least one person was treated for trauma; several other residents suffered anxiety attacks as well.

The Israel Air Force immediately retaliated, striking rocket launcher sites and other terrorist targets in central and southern Gaza.

More than 30 terror targets were destroyed within a few minutes’ time, according to local Gaza sources, who said the air strikes “caused many explosions” especially in the southern area of the region.

In addition to the air force, Israeli Navy personnel and tank artillery participated in the attack, the sources said. Local medical workers reported that four people were wounded and one was missing in the town of Khan Yunis, a hotbed of terrorism and one of the sites where air strikes were carried out.

JERUSALEM – The Israel Air Force (IAF) attacked twelve terrorist targets in Gaza over night in response to several rockets fired at Israeli civilian targets from Gaza over the weekend, including one rocket that landed on a factory in Sderot, wounding four and destroying the factory. Firefighters fought long and hard to extinguish the blaze.

The IAF attacked three hidden launching pads, two weapons manufacturing sites in northern and central Gaza, a terror activity site in central Gaza and three terror activity sites in southern Gaza. Direct hits were confirmed on all targets.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon spoke yesterday with Mayor of Sderot Alon Davidi following the rocket barrage on his city. During the conversation Ya’alon strengthened the mayor and the residents of the area, stating: “We are working to restore quiet to the south. We will not tolerate attempts by terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip to disrupt the daily routine of the residents of the south, and as we have operated in the past few days, we will also act harshly and decisively against terrorists firing at Israel, and strike them with a painful blow. You show leadership and responsibility in such situations, and together with the residents, who are unfortunately very experienced in such events and are also showing responsibility and steadfastness, you allow us to work optimally to restore calm to the area.”

Mayor Davidi stated: “Sderot residents are not deterred by the criminal and cowardly actions of the terrorists, firing rockets from Gaza into civilian population centers. We stand firm in order to provide full backup to the Prime Minister, Defense Minister and IDF to act firmly to bring back the boys and restore order to the area. We send our appreciation to the rescue forces who acted fast, thus saving four people who were in the factory that was damaged and consumed by the fire.” On Friday, the IAF targeted Osama Hassumi and Mohammad Fatzih, terror operatives who were responsible for firing rockets on southern Israel in the past weeks. They were further involved in several terror attacks against Israel over the past few years and were planning further attacks. IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner stated: “Militants like Hassumi and Fatzih, attacking Israel from Gaza, are not safe, do not have immunity, and will not be free to plan, plot and operate. We will continue to strike the instigators and agitators with patience, determination and precision. Gaza rocket terrorism does not pay”.

Earlier Friday an explosive device was detonated on the border with southern Gaza, lightly damaging an IDF military vehicle. No injuries were reported. IDF tanks fired at positions in Gaza known to be used as terrorist observations posts.

Over 30 rockets have been launched from Gaza at Israel since the beginning of Operation “Brother’s Keeper” to find the three boys abducted by Hamas terrorists over two weeks ago. Over 3.5 million Israelis are currently living under threat of rocket attacks.

Gazan terrorists fired five rockets during the early evening hours yesterday (Jun. 24) at southern Israel, sending tens of thousands of civilians running into bomb shelters in the highly populated Ashkelon area. Two of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-rocket system. No injuries or damage were reported.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) retaliated by attacking seven terror targets in the Gaza Strip, including five hidden launching pads. An IDF spokesman announced that the IDF holds Hamas responsible for all terror activity emanating from the Gaza Strip, and will continue to operate with decisiveness to protect the State of Israel.

A three-year-old girl from Gaza was killed after a rocket fired at Israel failed to hit its target and landed on her home in Gaza, this according to Palestinian medical sources. Four members of the girl’s family were injured after the rocket landed on their house in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza. The four were evacuated to a hospital.

For more than a week, Gazan terrorists have continuously fired rockets at Israel. Over 20 rockets have been fired at Israel since the beginning of Operation ‘Brother’s Keeper’ to find the three abducted boys Eyal Yifrach, Gil-Ad Shaer and Naftali Frenkel. Over 200 have been fired since the beginning of the 2014. Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, terrorists have fired more than 8,000 rockets into Israel. Over 3.5 million Israelis are currently living under threat of rocket attacks.

“We have repeatedly addressed the consequences facing those who seek to endanger the lives of innocent civilians,” IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner recently said in response to the attacks. “Iron Dome’s success does not change the absurd fact that Israelis have been living under continuous rocket threat for multiple years. We shall persist with our determination to combat terror elements and eliminate the pending threat to Israeli lives.”